+ 7th Grade

Math: Our current unit brings many real-world applications of percents and has created many opportunities to connect math with everyday decision-making. Students have been practicing how to calculate discounts, commission, tax, tips, and other common percentage situations. This week we also explored simple examples of financial investing, which sparked great discussion about how understanding percentages can help us make wise and thoughtful choices with money. Moments like these allow us to pause and reflect on how math can equip us to live responsibly and steward resources well in everyday life. Students will take a unit assessment toward the end of next week. After that, we will begin our next unit exploring statistics and probability, where we’ll continue making real-world connections as students learn how data can help us understand patterns, evaluate information, and make informed decisions.

ELA:

Bible: In 7th grade, we have been working for the past few weeks on argument writing. We have been partnering with science for some cross-curricular writing involving writing a Claim-Evidence- Reasoning paper on the debate of Young Earth and Old Earth Creationism. Our next writing assignment will be a group presentation about the question: “Is Social Media Good for Our Society?’ Students will work in groups to devise a claim, identify evidence, and present their argument to the class.

Science: In Science we are wrapping up our look at Young Earth and Old Earth Creationism by having students write position papers and what they believe. We are working in my class and with Mr. Schutte in ELA to do this. Again our Learning Target is “I can recognize that there are different valid Christian positions for the age of the Earth.” This is the specific assignment: After reviewing what we have looked at in the last few days regarding creationism, your job is to write a reflection analyzing what your perspective is on creationism. Discuss this with your parents! You can’t simply say what you believe, you must give some evidence for your position. Why do you believe what you believe? After this we will explore our Maple Syrup making process and then spend a bit more time with chemistry.

Social Studies: In social studies we are completing our unit on the Foundations of our Government, and moving into the time period in which our country begins to grow and develop under presidents Jefferson through Monroe. The students will engage in a simulation which will require them to develop plans that would allow the country to grow if they were the government leaders. The 60 year learning targets are the following: We will celebrate the wonders of God’s creation through Lewis and Clark’s exploration, while identifying the pain and suffering from the Fall, and the need for Christians to redeem, reclaim, and make his creation new. Second, We will find specific examples of how Christians can respond to the changes that we see in our government and society.

+ 8th Grade

Pre-Algebra: In Pre-Algebra, students are continuing to build mastery in calculating and interpreting slope as a rate of change. They are practicing how to graph lines on the coordinate plane from multiple representations and how to write equations in slope-intercept form—skills that help students see how mathematical relationships describe patterns and change. These foundational ideas will take on deeper purpose as we begin work on our Restoration Project. Each student will select a country and a specific need to research. In math, we will focus on analyzing data and using equations and graphs to model real-world situations. These tools will help students tell meaningful stories with data and support thoughtful advocacy. We are excited to see how students will use mathematical understanding not only to recognize patterns in the world, but also to better understand challenges and imagine ways restoration can take shape.

Algebra: As we begin the new trimester, Algebra students will explore polynomial functions. Previously learned skills will be applied in deeper ways as students analyze and work with a variety of functions. While these concepts can feel abstract, they also reveal the remarkable order and creativity present in mathematics—an invitation to explore patterns and structures within God’s creation. At the same time, students will continue working on their Restoration Projects, which will extend many of the algebra concepts we are learning. As students research a country and a specific need, they will use mathematical tools to help analyze information and better understand real-world challenges. We look forward to seeing how students grow in both understanding and purpose as they develop the skills and discernment needed to recognize patterns in the world, but also to better understand challenges and imagine ways restoration can take shape.

ELA: In 8th grade, we transitioned from argument writing and reading to narrative. For this unit, we will be reading the novel The Giver as a class. Our 60 year learning target for this unit will be, “As followers of Christ, I can recognize how conformity shapes the person I am and recognize where my conformity is either transforming or deforming me.”

Bible: In 8th grade Bible we will soon be wrapping up our study of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, taking time to reflect on what His sacrifice and victory over death mean for our faith and daily lives. After that, we will transition into learning about the early church as recorded in the book of Acts—seeing how the disciples responded, how the gospel spread, and how the Holy Spirit worked through ordinary believers to build Christ’s church. This unit will help students connect the events of the resurrection to the mission that continues even today, inviting them to consider how they too are part of God’s ongoing story.

Science: In Science we are continuing to look at the Immune System- one of God’s greatest components of the human body. As a part of this we will be presenting the importance of handwashing to the other students. As a reminder our Learning Target for this unit is: “I can describe how God designed the immune system, and I can assess whether or not this fallen system can be used for restoration to protect us from disease.” Bible: In Bible will be transitioning into learning about the early church as recorded in the book of Acts—seeing how the disciples responded, how the gospel spread, and how the Holy Spirit worked through ordinary believers to build Christ’s church. This unit will help students connect the events of the resurrection to the mission that continues even today, inviting them to consider how they too are part of God’s ongoing story.

Social Studies: In 8th grade social studies the students are continuing the unit on Sub Saharan Africa. The 60 year learning target for this unit is I will see the Christ-centered value in the people and resources of Africa in order to help love them and identify ways to bring true restoration. The students are in the planning phase of The Restoration Project and should identify a need that they feel called to help bring change to. Finally, students will work on their end of the unit assessment in which they will create realistic fiction writing that meets the learning targets of our lessons. Details will be coming soon!